Apple, Samsung Patent Negotiations Crumble

Patent lawsuit settlement negotiations earlier this week between Apple and Samsung failed, leaving the two companies on track for a trial next month. The negotiations came at the request of Judge Lucy Koh who is overseeing the infringement lawsuit, and included the CEOs from both companies.

A Samsung official confirmed the negotiations fell through, according to Korea Times. The talks were mediated by Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero.

No surprise: Apple and Samsung patent negotiations fall through

The court ordered negotiations follow months of legal wrangling between the two companies over allegations that each side is using mobile-related patents in their tablet and smartphone devices without proper licensing. The lawsuits over patent infringement have spread to several countries around the world.

While there was always a possibility both sides would reach a settlement agreement, there wasn’t much incentive for the companies to find a middle ground, especially since they met only at Judge Koh’s request.

Except in this case (cases?) the lawyers don?t get to personally benefit: they work under salary for the companies. Maybe they get a bonus if they win, but not much else.

While Both Apple and Samsung have in house legal departments, both hire outside third party representation to litigate these intellectual property matters. The law firms probably charge about $500 an hour.

The lawyers here, however, are not the bad guys. Both companies chose who to hire and to go to war. If Apple told the lawyers to settle, they would.

I understand Apple’s motivation for suing, but I think Microsoft has it right. Just charge Samsung a license fee.